Maximizing throughput of streaming media by simultaneously connecting to streaming media server over multiple independent network connections

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for maximizing throughout of streaming media. The client device simultaneously establishes multiple independent network connections with a server (e.g., streaming video server) to access various segments of a file (e.g., video file). The client device requests a different segment of the file to be downloaded from the server across each of these network connections based on the throughput of each network connection. The received segments of the file are buffered and combined to provide continuous uninterrupted access to the received segments of the file. In this manner, the user will be able to view the contents of the file without any interruptions or pauses while at the same time without requiring any coordination between the client device and the server and without any degradation in the quality of the viewed content of the file.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for maximizing throughout of streaming media, the method comprising:
 establishing a first network connection with a server to access a first segment of a file; 
 establishing a second network connection with said server to access a second segment of said file, wherein said first and second network connections are independent from one another, wherein said first network connection is established simultaneously as said second network connection; 
 determining an amount of throughput for each of said first and second network connections; 
 establishing one of a plurality of ratings for each of said first and second network connections based on said determined throughput, wherein each of said plurality of ratings is associated with requesting a different range of time of said file; 
 requesting said first segment of said file corresponding to a first range of time of said file based on a rating of said first network connection; 
 requesting said second segment of said file corresponding to a second range of time of said file based on a rating of said second network connection, wherein said second range of time is subsequent to said first range of time; 
 receiving said first and second segments of said file from said server via said first and second network connections, respectively; 
 buffering said first and second segments of said file received from said server; and 
 combining, by a processor, said buffered first and second segments of said file to provide continuous uninterrupted access to said first and second segments of said file. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said file comprises one of the following: a video file, an audio file, a document, an image and text. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising:
 requesting an additional segment of said file from said server via said first network connection for a third range of time of said file upon completion of buffering said first segment of said file in response to an entirety of said file not being downloaded from said server. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first network connection is established with said server to access said first segment of said file via a first network, wherein said second network connection is established with said server to access said second segment of said file via a second network, wherein said first and second networks are separate and independent networks.